Mainpat, one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and one of the best hill stations in Chhattisgarh is a haven for some people. Surrounded by pristine forests, lush meadows, ardent rivers and gushing waterfalls, this hill top should definitely be next on your list of travel. Also famous for Tibetan settlements and refugee camps, tourism in Mainpat is quite popular. You can easily reach Mainpat by air, rail or road with the best time to visit being the winter time, which is obviously the best time to visit a hill station. There are many things to see on this hill top that will make your vacation absolutely special. Read through our travel guide to Mainpat that will help you plan your vacation better.

By Air:

The nearest airport to reach Mainpat is Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi Jharkhand and it is located at a distance of 299.5 km from the center of Mainpat. This airport is in another state; if you’d like to take an airport in Chhattisgarh itself, you must go to Swami Vivekananda International Airport located at 381 km from Mainpat.

By Road:

Mainpat is easily accessible by road and is also connected to major cities like Raigarh, Raipur and states like Jharkhand. You can choose to drive up the lovely roads of the hill station or you can take a government run bus from within anywhere in Chhattisgarh.

By Rail:

The main railhead that has to be taken to reach Mainpat is Ambikapur Railway Station and it is distanced at 55.7 km from the center of the hilltop. This is the most convenient way to reach as it is the closest to the hill station. You can get transportation easily to go to your preferred destination from then onwards.

Getting Around:

One can get around in Mainpat by taking the local buses that run in that region. These local buses are cheap and decent enough to travel in. Other than this you can hire a cab to go around or you can hire a self driven car to move around by yourself.

Summer (April-June):

The hottest season in Mainpat is the summer season. Temperatures during this time range from 32°C-40°C with some summers being even hotter than this. But in comparison, the heat is way lesser than other cities in Chhattisgarh. This is not the most recommended time to visit Mainpat

Monsoon (July-October):

After the hot summer, monsoon brings in some respite with cold showers and cool breeze. Temperatures during this time range from 23°C-30°C, which makes the climate very pleasant. This is a good time to visit Mainpat and see and enjoy the waterfalls in the area.

Winter (November-March):

Finally, we come to the best season in the hill station of Mainpat, winter time. Temperatures during this time range from 8°C-15°C and as you can imagine, these temperatures are quite cold. This is a great time to go trekking, indulging in all sorts of adventure sports and go sightseeing.

Visit a Monastery:

The Dhakpo Shedupling Monastery is one of the most monasteries in the region and it is the only one in Chhattisgarh. The architecture of the monastery is simple and the surroundings are peaceful. Visit this place to enjoy some peace of mind in a tourist place.

Visit Refugee Settlements:

When Dalai Lama came to India in search for refuge, his followers came along with him as well and wanted to settle down on our land. From then onwards, the Indian government has let thousands of Tibetans stay in Himachal Pradesh, Dharamsala and Mainpat, amongst many other places. Visit these refugee camps to know more about their lifestyle.

Watch the Beautiful Sunset:

Mainpat being a hill station has quite a few places to watch the sunrise and sunset. One such point is the Tiger Point and the other is Parpatiya, which is visited by many. The sun rays on the mountains give a special glow, making the sight very scenic.

Embark on a Trek:

If you are looking for some exercise and adventure, make sure you climb the Bailadila range of mountains in Mainpat. Climb up till the highest peaks of Akash Nagar or Kailash Nagar to see lovely panoramic views of the hill station or a lovely sunrise.

Engage in Adventure Sports:

Once you are done sightseeing, Mainpat is the kind of place where you must indulge in Adventure sports. You can engage in Paragliding, Rappelling, Mountain Climbing, Rafting and a lot more. The topography and the geography of the place allows such activities and one must engage in these to have a full experience of Mainpat.

Mainpat is a small place on a plateau and is spread out across 21 villages throughout the area. You can find several eateries on the road that offer snacks like samosas, chaat, north Indian and South Indian snacks as well. If you want to try authentic Tibetan cuisine and dip some scrumptious momos in thukpa, go to the Tibetan settlements or the refugee camps where the locals will make steaming hot delicious momos that you can enjoy in the winter time. Visit restaurants like La-Momo and Hard Rock restaurant in these refugee settlements to get a good food experience. Other than this, there are several vegetarian as well as non vegetarian restaurants in the vicinity to eat.

The shopping experience in any place is a one to remember. To back up your experience in any place, shopping is the best way to go. Since Mainpat is ideally a tourist spot and is high up in altitude, you will not find any malls or big shopping complexes. In fact the best way to shop in a place like Mainpat is to do authentic shopping from the Tibetan settlements and the tribal villages. Head over to the numerous villages in Mainpat to buy beautiful hand-made ornaments, cloth, saris and decorations. You can find pottery barns as well that that sell beautifully shaped pots to decorate your house. Other than this you can also visit the Tibetan settlements to buy handmade stuff along with artifacts related to Buddhism.